Sources say he has talked about moving Rudy Gay, but he has been patient. He dealt Andrea Bargnani, built a bench that may double as a self-destruct button, and prepared.

Gay will make $17.8 million this season and has a player option for next season ($19.3 million) — at age 27 he is expected to opt out, become a free agent and seek the security of a longer deal. The Raptors can offer five years, other teams four.

It’s unlikely the Raptors will offer anything near that high, and if Ujiri doesn’t want him or if he doesn’t think he can keep him, he may have to pull the trigger.

The other part of that equation is how the Raptors fair to start the season — the dynamic is different if they are in a playoff position or close to one than it does if the team is out of it and it’s time to go for lottery Ping-Pong balls.

How you feel about Gay likely says a lot about how you feel about the advanced stats movement in basketball. He is kind of the fault line. Gay’s fans will talk about the athletic guy who can create his own shot, make plays for others and has a career 18 points a game average. His detractors don’t think he’s terrible, they think he’s above average but a volume scorer — he’s averaged 15.3 shots a game to get those 18 points — who is not efficient.

Ujiri isn’t from the Daryl Morey school, but he does listen to his stats guys and he isn’t afraid to trade big names.

I have a feeling either Gay or DeMar DeRozan will get moved this season, just something for you to keep an eye on.

No doubt teams have inquired about Gay since he has been in Toronto. The NBA media finds him a nice story and would love to get him out of Toronto which they don’t cover. I doubt Ujiri is shopping Gay and I also doubt he will be traded before next summer if at all.

This is a non-story, but heh its about Rudy Gay so like I said the NBA media loves covering Gay they just don’t want to go Toronto or watch the Raptors to do it.

Bruce Arthur another of the Raptors local media that should be replaced. The only Raptors writer worth anything is Doug Smith. The rest of the guys should be fired.

Helin, in your opinion, would the Clippers be a good home for either DeMar DeRozon or Rudy Gay? DeRozon is cheaper in value and will only require Jamal Crawford and parts. But Rudy Gay requires Blake Griffin, and after reading all the tweets, comments and articles regarding last night’s mixed bag and their humiliating defeat to the Lakerrs, there may be strong consideration that the Clippers will need to trade Griffin if the team wants to be taken seriously.

For all his flaws, there is NO Way I move Griffin for Gay, dramatic downgrade. DeRozan is a better fit but not great. Fact is I like Dudley better than both with the Clippers — keep the ball in CP3’s hands with shooters and athletes around him.

They have to put themselves in a position to have the draft fixed for them. Wiggens is a Canadian, if they can somehow snatch him up, he is potentially the only franchise player who would stay there. Cue the frozen envelope Mr. Silver

@adamsjohn714 – You’re right on the money. Historically I think it had something to do with Isaiah Thomas being on the Raptors at one point and then the Knicks. But now? It’s like an addiction or a habit they can’t kick!

I can’t wait for someone to buy the Knicks from Dolan. Maybe Spike Lee can get some of his pals together.

If the trade deadline comes along and the Bucks are near .500, I’d take Gay for a small package of expiring contracts and possibly some 2nd round picks. As Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose discussed on their season preview for the Bucks maybe a deal like Caron Butler + Ekpe Udoh for Rudy Gay or something along that line.